A section of Highway 17 west of Dryden has been closed due to a collision.

The accident took place just after 9:00 local time near Oxdrift.

The Highway has now been closed just east of Vermilion Bay near the turn-off to Eagle River.

Photos of the collision show thick black smoke.

Also, the area just before accident scene was closed earlier due to a spill, but that section has been opened to one lane of traffic.

There has been no indication how long the Trans-Canada will be closed.